Aussie Apple Tart

Autumn has started here in Australia. Even though we live up north and it’s pretty warm all year around (we’re upside down so think of Florida where Maine is), it’s getting dark early. Queensland, the state I live in, doesn’t have daylight savings time. Yes, that’s correct, it’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of. So here it is, barely the end of summer and it gets dark at 6pm. I hate it but that’s an argument for another today. Today we’re talking apples.

I love apple pies, apple tarts, apple crumbles — apple just about anything. My in-laws visited and we were having a relaxing weekend, not doing much of anything. My mother-in-law was reading her book and I’d just finished cleaning up the place a bit.

During a break in her book reading, she suggested that we make an Aussie Apple Tart. See what I said above about loving everything apple – I was IN. She decided that she would tell me how to make the tart and I’d do all the work. She IS the mother-in-law. Nuff said. She knows I’m a pretty good cook but she also knows most of the food I make comes from my roots in the US. She wants me to keep her recipes alive.

We started by making some apple sauce and while it was cooling, we (read that I) made the pastry. I suspect she thought her pastry was best but she allowed me to make my stand-by recipe. While that was chilling we peeled and sliced the apples. She did the heavy onlooking and the big advice giving. “If you slice the apples too thickly, they won’t cook all the way through before turning brown.” Check.. make slices thinner.

My mother-in-law is the cutest old lady you’ve ever met. She’s the size of a number 2 pencil and just about as tall but she’s never lost her perky, sexy personality. I love both “the olds” to bits. They live in Victoria in the southern part of Australia. We’d like them to move up here but they think it’s too hot where we are. It gets much hotter there in the summer (and dryer) and much much colder in the winter.

Anyway, about this tart. Aussie apple tarts are made by smoothing spiced apple sauce over the bottom of the tart quite thickly. Joan couldn’t believe I’d never made a tart by putting applesauce in the bottom. Over the sauce, you place the apples sliced very thinly in a lovely pattern on top of the apple sauce. Make sure you place the apples neatly because if you don’t, my mother-in-law will move them for you.

This is my standard pastry recipe that makes enough dough for two tarts. If you have a pastry recipe you like, it will work just fine for this tart. Once you have all the apples overlapped perfectly (mine weren’t) place it in the oven until the edges of the apples start to caramelize and the apples are soft.

While it’s baking, heat up the apricot preserves because when the tart comes out of the oven you’ll brush the top of the tart with the preserves. It will sweeten the apples and leave a beautiful glaze on the tart. Enjoy!

That looks like a Tart Aux Pommes:-) I am loving the Aussie Apple Tart, it is gorgeous!!! What a beautiful treat to make for your family, they are pretty lucky:-) I agree, give me any apple dessert and I may do a happy dance, YUM-O! Beautiful! Hugs, Terra

Gorgeous! That is hilarious about your MIL. I can just see it…moving apple slices and commenting on the thickness. We used to not have day light savings in Indiana but finally they changed it a few years ago. Hopefully they do for you too!

I’m with you – I love anything with apple, and apple pie has been my #1 favorite among all the pies. My mom used to make the apple pie but she uses the cross design on top (sorry I am not a baker and don’t know the proper name) but I really love your design! SO pretty… It’s like rose! I’d love to serve this kind of pie when we have guests. 🙂

I loved this post! So funny! This apple tart looks amazing. I have never put applesauce on the bottom of my tart’s either. I can’t wait to try this. I’m hoping I cut and place my apples just right though. I’m a little intimidated 😉

Maureen,
Loving your decor on such a beautiful tart. Love apples too. Had no idea about Queensland dark at night so early. Jings. Your mother-in-law sounds so clued in online. She must be so proud seeing your blog, then!

That’s one lovely looking tart! I love daylight saving time in Autumn and hate it in Spring, which will be in probably a few weeks here, and I’ll loose my precious hour of sleep! (there is nothing fun about getting up at 5am..)

I love apples too but have never used apple sauce in an apple tart before
I love the double dose of apple in this and the pattern on top is so cute.
We are seeing the first signs of spring here. It is confusing sometimes to think you guys have Fall now

I LOVE daylight savings time, but since I’m dating a guy who lives in your beautiful state, the one hour time difference CAN be a bit of a drainer when it comes to phone calls at night and whatnot. Therefore, in a way I’m kinda glad that daylight saving in VIC and NSW is almost over!

Confession, I have a notebook where full of sentences I absolutely love. I read them when I need inspiration, sometimes when I’m lonely for a writer to talk to or just when I want a small bite of something wonderful. You’be been added: “She did the heavy onlooking and the big advice giving.” I LOVE THIS!